When you first established a website for your organization, you probably chose a website host based on your current needs. Over time, you may find that you have outgrown your hosting plan or provider. You might decide to switch to a new host based on these or other factors, like cost, speed, or security concerns.
Switching hosting providers entails migrating your website to the new host. There are a few different ways to do this, including a manual option that is fairly involved. If you are concerned about making sure that the migration is done correctly, our team can work with you to not only choose a new hosting provider but also get your site properly transferred.
Inclind works with companies and organizations throughout the United States to help them design, develop, and manage clean, effective websites. Our services extend to helping our clients select and work with a hosting provider and handling website migrations of all types. Reach out to our award-winning website design and development team today to learn how we can help your organization get the most out of its website.
Why Switch to a New Web Hosting Company?
A website host is a company that provides the server space and technology necessary to store a website’s files and make them accessible on the internet. When a user types a website’s address into a browser, it connects to the host’s server. The server then sends the website’s content to the user, allowing for the website to be securely, consistently, and reliably displayed to users.
When you initially choose a website host, you might be perfectly happy with the service. Over time, you might find thatthe host no longer fits your needs. There are several reasons why you might decide that it is time to make a change, including:
- Slow loading speeds: If your website takes too long to load, it can lead to high bounce rates and hurt your search engine rankings (site speed is a ranking factor).
- Scalability: If your website has grown, then you might need a host with greater server resources to handle higher levels of traffic.
- Frequent downtime: If a host goes offline too often, it can disrupt your operations as an organization when users cannot access your website.
- Lack of features: If your current host doesn’t have the features that you need (like automatic backups or site-building tools), it may be time to switch.
- Poor customer support: If you find yourself unable to get technical support from your web host provider when you need it, you may need to find a different company.
- Cost: You might be paying more than necessary for the features and capacity that you need. Comparison shopping may reveal that there are better deals elsewhere.
- Security issues: If you are concerned about security vulnerabilities, then you may want to look for a web host that offers greater cybersecurity.
You can also switch web hosting providers simply because you want a fresh start. Our experts can consult with you to help you decide if it’s time to make the switch and then work with you to find the right web host to meet your needs. We can even handle contract negotiations for you and serve as the point of contact between your organization and the web host provider for technical issues.
How to Transfer Your Website to a New Host
If you have made the decision to switch to a new web hosting company, the next step is to transfer your website to the new host. As mentioned above, the web host sends the necessary information to users when they navigate to your website. For this reason, you will have to transfer your website data so that the new servers have the necessary information to make your website work.
There are three options when it comes to transferring a website to a new host: manual site transfer, using a site migration service, and a transfer using a WordPress plugin (for WordPress sites). Below, we explain how you can transfer your website to a new host. If you need help, feel free to reach out to our team of expert website designers and developers at any time for assistance with a website transfer.
Manual Transfer
A manual transfer is the most involved, complicated option. However, it may be necessary depending on your content management system (CMS) and your web hosting provider. You can follow these steps to complete the transfer manually.
1) Purchase Your New Web Hosting
You can’t transfer your website until you have a new hosting plan in place. If you are unsure about which provider to choose, our web hosting consultants can help you pick a company that meets your needs.
2) Export Your Website’s Backup Files
You can export your backup files to your computer in a few ways, depending on your current web host’s setup.
- If your host uses cPanel, you can access the cPanel through your account dashboard. Go to Backup, which can be found in the Files section. Select “Download a Full Account Backup” and then click “Generate Backup.” Finally, go back to the file processing page and download the backup file once it has finished processing.
- If your host does not offer a tool like cPanel, you may need to manually create a backup. You can do this with a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program like FileZilla. You will need to download the software to move the files between your website and computer. Next, you will create a FTP account to connect your website account to the FTP program (if necessary). Then enter your web host’s name and your username, and your password into the app. Choose “QuickConnect” to allow the FTP app to pull data from your host. You can then download the files onto your computer.
3) Export Your Database
If your website uses a CMS such as WordPress, you will also have to export its database. If your host offers cPanel, you can go to the Databases section and click on phpMyAdmin. You will then choose your database(s) and select export. Make sure that you save the SQL file, which stores your database, it is in the same folder as your website files.
4) Create A New Database (If Your Website Has a Database)
To do this, go to the MySQL Database area in your new host’s cPanel. From there, enter a new database name and click “Create Database.” Then go to the phpMyAdmin area and click on the plus sign beside the name that is connected to your site. Then click on the database that you just created. Next, go to the Import section and choose “Browse”. Select the SQL file that you just downloaded and choose Import. After a few minutes, you should get a notification that the import has successfully completed.
5) Modify your files
If you are using a CMS other than WordPress, you will need to modify your files before moving them so that they can sync with the new database. This step is a bit technical, so it is best if you work with an expert to make these changes. Essentially, you will go into your files and replace your user name, password, and site name with the new information.
6) Move your files
This step involves uploading your files to the new host, which is easiest to do using a FTP program. If you haven’t already done so, create a FTP account (with a FTP application like FileZilla) at your new hosting provider and then connect the program to your new hosting account. You will then drag the website files from your computer folder in the lower left-hand corner of your FTP application to the public_html in the lower right-hand corner. The files will appear in the public_html area when they have been successfully transferred. If you are using WordPress, you will then need to update certain lines in your wp-config file with the new database name, your admin user name, your admin password, and the database host name. Finally, save your changes.
7) Test Your Site
When you have uploaded all of the necessary files, you can test the site through a private staging site through your new web host. When testing, make sure that all of your design elements are in the right place, that there are no errors in text formatting, that links are clickable, and that other features work properly. If you find any errors, you will need to do some troubleshooting.
8) Point Your Domain To The New Host Server
If your site is working exactly as it should, then you can update your domain name system settings to send it to the new host’s server. Generally, you will need to find your host’s nameservers (often in a welcome email from the company). You will then go to the management panel for your domain and go to the Nameservers area. Choose “Custom NameServer.” Copy and paste your host’s nameservers into this space. Make sure that you put both nameservers into this area. You can then save your work and wait for the DNS settings to update. This can take a few days, so wait until you get an email alerting you that the changes have occurred. Your transfer is now complete!
If these steps seem like more than your organization can handle, we can help. Contact Inclind at any time for assistance with all types of website support and maintenance, including transferring your site to a new hosting provider.
Site Migration Service
A manual site transfer requires a fair amount of technical skill. To save time and avoid costly mistakes, it might be worth it to use a site migration service like the site migration services we provide at Inclind. Depending on who you select as your new web hosting provider, it’s possible that your hosting provider may also offer migration services.
1) Requesting Migration Services
If you’re hosting provider offers migration services, you can open a support ticket with your new hosting company asking for a site transfer. Otherwise, you can request a free consultation with our web development team to get a quote for a site migration from Inclind.
2) Permissions & Access Sharing
The migration service provider will have you send the needed information, such as the username and password from your previous web host, access to your existing site, and access to your DNS registrar.
3) Site Mapping & Migration
After gaining necessary permissions, they’ll audit your site and create a site map to make sure that all pages and files are properly migrated over with any redirects placed where necessary.
4) Testing
Once the migration is complete, your migration team will conduct tests to make sure everything is working as it should. You’ll receive a link to the new site to confirm that everything looks good.
5) Pointing The Domain
After testing is complete, your migration team will then point the domain over to the new server. This process usually just takes a few days from start to finish.
WordPress PlugIn
If you have a WordPress site, then transferring your website to a new host is simple. You can use a free plugin like Duplicator to make the process easy. The steps below will be for the Duplicator plugin specifically, but the steps are similar for other migration plugins.
1) Install The Migration Plugin
Install the plugin on your website at the old host. When the installation is complete, click “Activate”.
2) Create a Package
Refresh the page and then choose “create a new package.” Name the package, and then click “Next”. Duplicator will then scan your files to make sure that it can create a package. If so, then click Build. If you see “Notice” instead, click on that for more details about any issues.
3) Download The Site Files
Once Duplicator compresses your site files, click Download Both Files to get .zip and install.php files.
4) Transfer The Files Via FTP
Use a FTP like FileZilla to move the files to your new host.
5) Point Your Domain
Point your domain to the new server. As with a site transfer, this process usually just takes a matter of days.
Need Technical Help with Your Website Transfer? We Can Help
A new website hosting provider can help you improve website speed, loading times, and overall performance. If you have decided to make the switch, you might be a bit nervous about the actual process of transferring your entire website to a new server. We can work with you to make the process as seamless as possible.
At Inclind, we offer a full range of services for nonprofits, public utilities, membership organizations, and other mid-sized entities. Our team can help you design and build a beautiful website, choose a web host provider, and support and maintain your website. We offer unparalleled creativity combined with the most advanced technical skills to support your needs.
We're happy to chat if you’d like to learn more about our website migration services, including transferring a website to a new host. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 800-604-8139 to talk to one of our experts about your website.